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The Arts Council presents a variety of events throughout the year, at the Coconino Center for the Arts and in other venues around Flagstaff. At the Center, you'll experience art exhibitions, compelling concerts, and more. Around Flagstaff, we host performances on downtown Flagstaff's Heritage Square, concerts in the idyllic setting at the Arboretum at Flagstaff, and Navajo Rug Auctions at the Museum of Northern Arizona.
Upcoming Events
Flagstaff 2030: Community Vision Meeting @ Coconino Center for the Arts
Oct 16 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
5:30 pm
Please join us this Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 5:30pm. We will explore three key questions: How do we foster an even stronger creative economy? What collectively inspires us and makes Flagstaff unique? (Hint: the intersection of art & science is key.) And, how do we promote cultural equity and consciousness? These questions could greatly[...]
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SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Tuesday, July 31, 2012) – Real Salt Lake (0-1-0, 0 points, 3rd place in CCL Group 2) dropped its 2012-2013 CONCACAF Champions League opener on Wednesday night, giving up an early goal and controversially going down a man in the 58th minute to lose 1-0 at Costa Rican champions C.S. Herediano (1-0-0, 3 points, 1st place in CCL Group 2).
RSL now has a lot of work to do in Group 2, likely needing an absolute minimum of seven points from its three remaining Group Stage games to win the group and advance to the eight-team Knockout Stage.
Real Salt Lake started on the back foot, nearly giving up a goal in the 5th minute. RSL GK Nick Rimando came up with a huge save to keep it scoreless, making a stellar stop on Herediano DF Pablo Salazar's 10-yard shot following a corner kick.
Things didn't get any better for RSL in the ensuing minutes, as the Utah side continued to struggle in possession, kept ceding chances and even saw FW Álvaro Saborio pick up a soft yellow card.
The Claret-and-Cobalt's start went from bad to worse in the 14th minute, when Herediano MF Elias Aguilar scored to put the Costa Rican side up 1-0. Aguilar took advantage of a slip from RSL MF Kyle Beckerman, using the space created by Beckerman's fall to rip a low, 18-yard shot inside the far post from the left side.
Real Salt Lake settled down a bit after the goal, holding a little more of the ball and creating a few chances. FW Fabian Espíndola came excruciatingly close to equalizing in the 30th minute, running onto a through ball from Saborío in the right side of the box before poking a 15-yard shot inches wide of the far post.
Herediano responded to Espíndola's chance with one of its own in the 31st. RSL DF Jámison Olave misplayed a ball in the back, allowing Herediano FW Ismael Gomez to collect just outside the box on the left side, cut in on his right foot and hit a curling shot toward the far post that Rimando just got a finger on to tip wide.
Both sides continued attacking in the half's final 15 minutes, with each team registering a half chance before the break. RSL also saw another important player pick up a yellow card before halftime, with Beckerman getting shown a yellow for persistent infringement in the 43rd minute.
Real Salt Lake started the second half much stronger than it did the first, holding the majority of the ball and creating a few decent chances in the early minutes.
MF Ned Grabavoy came close to scoring in the 52nd minute, collecting a loose ball at the top of the arc before hitting a deflected shot just wide of the right post. Saborío had a pair of half chances in the next five minutes, hitting a hard half volley just over the bar in the 54th and putting a contested close range header high in the 56th.
Unfortunately, RSL's solid start didn't last, with the Claret-and-Cobalt going down a man in the 58th minute when DF Nat Borchers was shown a very suspect red card for a sliding challenge on a 50-50 ball. Borchers' ejection forced left back Chris Wingert into the middle of RSL's defense, moved MF Will Johnson to left back and brought Espíndola back into the midfield.
RSL's central defense took another hit in the 60th minute, when Olave picked up an apparent hamstring injury. The Colombian defender couldn't continue, eventually coming off in the 63rd minute for DF Kwame Watson-Siriboe.
The Claret-and-Cobalt made another change in the 68th minute, bringing DF Kenny Mansally on for Espíndola. The switch allowed Johnson to move back into the midfield and kept Saborío alone up top.
Herediano also made a change in the 68th, bringing DF Derrick Johnson on for FW Ismael Gomez. Johnson didn't take up a traditional defensive position – his job was solely to follow Saborío all over the field.
RSL held up remarkably well for being down a man and without both starting center backs. The Utah side didn't concede any clear-cut chances and held a decent amount of the ball, pushing forward in search of an equalizer as often as possible.
In the end though, erasing a one-goal deficit on the road against the Costa Rican champions was too tall of an order for RSL, which couldn't scratch out any good opportunities after Borchers' red card.
The Claret-and-Cobalt will look to bounce back in CCL play on Aug. 21, when the club will host Panamanian champions Tauro FC at Rio Tinto Stadium.
RSL will return to MLS play before that, facing a quick turnaround ahead of Saturday's league clash at the archrival Colorado Rapids. The team will fly back to Salt Lake City early on Wednesday, resuming training on Thursday before heading to Denver on Friday.
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 0 0
C.S. Herediano 1 0 1
Scoring Summary: Herediano – Elias Aguilar – 14'
Misconduct Summary: RSL – Álvaro Saborío (Foul) – 7'
RSL – Kyle Beckerman (Persistent Infringement) – 43'
RSL – Nat Borchers (Straight red, Foul) – 58'
Real Salt Lake (4-1-2-1-2) – Nick Rimando; Tony Beltran, Jamison Olave (Kwame Watson-Siriboe, 63'), Nat Borchers (Ejected, 58'), Chris Wingert; Kyle Beckerman (C); Ned Grabavoy, Will Johnson (Jonny Steele, 80'); Javier Morales; Fabian Espíndola (Kenny Mansally, 68'), Álvaro Saborío
Substitutes Not Used: Kyle Reynish (GK), Yordany Alvarez, Luis Gil, Justin Braun
C.S. Herediano (4-4-2) – Leo Moreira; Esteban Ramirez (Junior Alvarado, 86'), Cristian Montero, Pablo Salazar (C) Waylon Francis; Jose Sanchez, Jose Cubero, Carlos Hernandez, Elias Aguilar (Minor Diaz, 80'); Ismael Gomez (Derrick Johnson, 68'), Yendrick Ruiz
Substitutes Not Used: Fernando Valverde (GK), Esteban Granados, Jose Garro
www.RealSaltLake.com / www.RioTintoStadium.com / www.ESPN700Sports.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Study suggests L-DOPA therapy for Angelman syndrome may have both benefits and unanticipated effects
New research from UNC provides a neurological justification for this therapeutic approach, but researchers caution there could be unanticipated effects.
Media contact: Tom Hughes, 919-966-6047, firstname.lastname@example.com
Monday, Nov. 12, 2012
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Last year a clinical trial of L-DOPA -- a mainstay of Parkinson's disease therapy -- was launched for Angelman syndrome, a rare intellectual disorder that shares similar motor symptoms such as tremors and difficulty with balance. The clinical trial is based on a 10-year-old case report showing benefit with the drug, but few studies since have explored the neurological justification for using L-DOPA to treat parkinsonian features in Angelman syndrome.
New research from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, conducted in animal models of the disorder, now provides justification for this therapeutic approach. The study, published online ahead of print on Nov. 12 by the Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggests that L-DOPA could compensate for a loss of the neurochemical dopamine in the brain's motor pathways and improve motor symptoms. However, it also indicates that the drug could add to an already increased amount of dopamine in the brain's reward pathways and thus have unanticipated consequences on emotion and attention.
"The results were extremely surprising, because we don't know of any other disorder where dopamine is affected one way in one brain pathway and the opposite way in another," said Benjamin D. Philpot, PhD, associate professor of cell biology and physiology at UNC.
"If what we see in humans mirrors what we see in mice, then it does provide some optimism that L-DOPA might provide benefit for tremor," said C.J. Malanga, MD, PhD, associate professor of neurology at UNC. "But it also raises caution that researchers might want to consider assessing other aspects of Angelman syndrome that might be affected by dopamine -- not just motor symptoms but also other neuropsychiatric features." Malanga and Philpot are senior authors of the study.
Angelman syndrome affects about every one out of every 15,000 people. Individuals with the disorder have minimal verbal communication – some never speak a single word – as well as seizures and motor problems. It is caused by defects in UBE3A, a gene involved in the development of the brain's wiring. Much of what has been learned about this gene has come from a mouse model lacking UBE3A.
Philpot and Malanga decided to use these Angelman syndrome model mice to explore how dopamine is affected in Angelman syndrome. Dopamine is a well-known neurotransmitter, one of many chemicals responsible for transmitting signals between neurons in the brain. In their experiments, the researchers found that the behavioral deficits seen in the Angelman syndrome model were not due to the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells -- as in Parkinson's disease -- or reduced production of the important neurochemical.
Rather, they found that it was associated with differences in release of the dopamine molecule from brain cells. Specifically, dopamine release was decreased in one brain pathway -- the motor or nigrostriatal pathway -- and increased in another -- the reward or mesolimbic pathway. But instead of having a greater effect on reward, dopamine also appeared to be less effective at motivating behavior in these mice.
"One of the interesting features of people with Angelman syndrome is that they generally have a very happy disposition and a lower threshold for humor. It is interesting that we found this effect in the reward pathway, because it could provide a biological basis for this happy disposition," said Philpot.
Malanga cautions that this happy disposition, as well as the lack of communication skills, might make it hard for researchers to tell if their Angelman syndrome patients are experiencing negative consequences of an altered reward pathway, such as changes in mood or compulsive behaviors. Therefore, he recommends that clinical trials assess many different outcome measures to ensure that L-DOPA treatment does not lead to unanticipated outcomes.
The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Simons Foundation, the Angelman Syndrome Foundation and Autism Speaks. Study co-authors from UNC were Thorfinn T. Riday; Elyse C. Dankoski; Michael C. Krouse; Eric W. Fish, PhD; Paul L. Walsh; Ji Eun Han; Clyde W. Hodge, PhD; and R. Mark Wightman, PhD.


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- Overview
- Announcement of consultations
- Information for consumers
- Overview of consultations
- Prostheses reform
- Next steps
- More information
OverviewAustralia has a mixed public and private model of health care funding and service delivery. Private health insurance offers members greater choice in the provision of treatment, coverage for some services not included under Medicare arrangements, and may offer shorter waiting times for some services.
As at 30 June 2015, 11.3 million Australians were covered by hospital treatment cover (47.4% of the population) and 13.3 million Australians had some form of general treatment cover (55.8% of the population). In 2014-15 the Australian Government spent $5.8 billion on the Private Health Insurance Rebate.
In common with public health funding, private health insurance sustainability is being impacted by:
- the growth in chronic disease
- increasing patient expectations about access to services
- the number and range of health services provided
- the increasing cost of those services
- an ageing population.
Private health insurance has important links to these reviews. As such, on 28 October 2015 the Minister for Health, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, announced consultations focused on the value of private health insurance for consumers and its long term sustainability. View the Scope of the Consultations here.
Announcement of ConsultationsMinister Ley announced consultations on 28 October 2015 during her address to the National Press Club. View her address on the Department's website.
Information for ConsumersPrivate health insurance is complex. View the Consumer Fact Sheet.
For more information about private health insurance, visit the Private Health website (www.privatehealth.gov.au).
Overview of ConsultationsAn online consumer survey opened 8 November 2015 and closed on 7 December 2015. There was a large public response to the survey with over 40,000 Australians taking the opportunity to have their say on private health insurance.
The results from the consumer survey showed that the cost of private health insurance was of greatest concern to consumers overall. Expense, affordability and lack of value for money were issues common to people both with and without private health insurance.
Targeted industry roundtables were held in the week of 16 November 2015. Eight roundtables were held in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney with over 100 organisations represented.
Interested stakeholders were able to provide submissions to the Department of Health by 4 December 2015.
An issues paper was developed to guide the roundtables and submissions.
The written submissions indicated that stakeholders held a wide range of views on key issues and reform options. A summary of the written submissions identified the following six themes:
- community rating;
- consumer issues;
- coverage;
- deregulation;
- efficiency; and
- the future of private health insurance.
Prostheses reformMinister Ley announced on 5 February 2016 the establishment of an industry working group to examine opportunities for reform of the arrangements governing prostheses and devices access and pricing in the private health insurance sector.
- Media release "Prostheses reform a priority for cheaper health premiums"
- Terms of Reference for the Industry Working Group on Private Health Insurance Prostheses Reform
- Membership of the working group
- Industry Working Group on Private Health Insurance Prostheses Reform Outcomes Statement
- Industry Working Group on Private Health Insurance Prostheses Reform Final Report
Next StepsThe Department of Health will be consolidating the input from the consultation process and will report back to Government in the first half of 2016.
More informationEnquiries: email PHI Consultations 2015-16
Media enquiries: News or contact 0412 132 585


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Folsom Studio 2/13: HAPPY GALENTINE'S DAY!~ Double Sunflower
February 13th 6:30-9:30pm
ONLY $45 per person!
Come celebrate the important friendships in your life with us this Gal-entine's Day! Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne and snacks!
Each painter starts with 2 11x14 canvases~ put 4 together for a full flower!
3 hours of professional art instruction
And all art supplies included!
Don't forget that we allow you to BYOB wine or beer and
snacks which makes this class even more affordable! We also supply complimentary paper plates, cups, napkins, plastic cutlery, plastic wine glasses, bottle openers, designated food tables and a full refrigerator for your use!
Doors open 30 minutes before the class so please feel free to come in early, pick your seat and enjoy some social time!
Please note that this class is for ages 21 and up due to the licensing for alcohol. Please check out our FOLSOM Family Room classes for alcohol-free painting classes for ages 7 and up.
Give the gift of creativity by purchasing Gift Certificates for the ones you love! Gift Certificates can be purchased online from our website. They do not expire and can be used toward any class.
Feeling tipsy? Yes, our Artists do accept tips! Please do feel free to give them a little love during the class! We pride ourselves in training our staff to give the best painting experience and customer service to our guests, and we appreciate any tips given to our talented Artist staff for their hard work. Tip jars are in the studio, but feel free to use a credit card with the Artist if you like!
Class Details
|Event Date
|02-13-2020 6:30 pm
|Event End Date
|02-13-2020 9:30 pm
|Available Seats
|Individual Price
|Folsom Studio


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Mitch Blade Letra y Canción
Tech N9ne
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MITCH BLADE es una canción de Tech N9ne del año 1999, este tema está incluido dentro del disco The Calm Before the Storm: Part 1.
'Mitch Blade'
Chorus 1:
have you ever met a nigga who was pie sprung?
theres alot of slinky niggas where i come from
theres another missle catcher just like him
his name is mitchell bade, mitchell bade
Tech n9ne:
what up mitch?
is it an everyday thang for you to act just like a bitch?
how does it feel, to have a nigga that will kill yah,
for the foul shit you spit?
number one snitch
a bitch with a dick
i found the remedy for the enemy
bust at the nigga like shootin at the kennedy's
cause mitch bade ain't really no friend of me!
to be exact
he's that nigga that talk,but he really can't back that shit that he talk
so he gotta walk around with a gat
but a nigga like me, i'll knock him out with the force of a hurricane
the penalty for the path if you disrespect the game
Tech n9ne:
now what goes on inside the mind of a nigga like this?
the nigga pissed
as i pumped off four rounds up in the trick he was with
but it ain't my fault you a little ole' bitch
(without yo click)
nigga run with a quickness
(get away quick, but you bet not slip)
better of with a bianca then be stuck
(with a ak 47 on your lip)
even if i'm lifted i can scope em' from a mile away
niggas fakin like intisapating they domes day
Tech n9ne:
camouflagin but i can see you actin like a bitch
which are the symptoms of a nigga named mitch!
Chorus 2:
have you ever met a nigga who was pie sprung?
there's alot of slinkin niggas where i come from
there's another missle catcher just like him
his name is mitchell bade (mitch bade) mitchell bade (mitch bade)
if a mitch is yo mix, you best's ta check one
and get ret to go for milli, when the next one come
if a nigga got a foot off in his rectum
his name is mitchell bade (mitch bade) mitchell bade (mitch bade)
(late night i got a page from bianca)
she told me her man was trippen, so swoop her bout a block up
so i um, got prepared, my conscience told me grab the gat
but all i could think about, was hittin that kitty kat from the back
all about that hustle, but tonight i gosta kick it
deep conversation,but it's her first time letting a nigga hit
but i'm not alone, it seems this nigga was on the phone
he heard the spot, the topic, whicked whicked, now it's on!
as i continue(continue) creepin(creepin) it's apparent
that i'm dealin with a mitch bade, i guess that's why he keeps on stareing
but i'm well equiped to handle a fleet, so nigga don't think i'm sleep
we can talk like men or we can get grim, and handle this shit n'the streets
don't ever trust no coch
especially when, a nigga like me is rollin up your block
bitch made nigga couldn't see that you was played
so we just changed your name
and called you mitch bade (mitch bade)
Chorus 2
Tech n9ne:
cruisin down the 'spect with five spliff's roll (roll)
passenger seat (seat), sunday the hoe stroll
went to park with major loot
dippen up on bitches, but the jealous mitch is ready to shoot, peep
but it ain't complete, the day is foul without a big butt and smile
i need a chick that's running wet like fury of the nile
bumped into, stepped into, this chick that's thick and photo genic
in a minute, i'ma get up in it, with a jimmy to avoid that aids epedemic
get it, got it, good in the hood, shit's all good, so i knocked on wood
got to her crib, drank some crown, laid me down, showed me the goods
then, knock knock, "who's that?"
she said her man and he might be strapped with a gat
put back on my shit, time to show this fool just where it's at
ret to get wet, she opened it up enough so i could see
she cracked it a bit, but that nigga pushed her, then came after me
extended arm, and bodily harm
he shoulda caught trigga, chiggas
Más RockLo Mejor del RockNovedades Rock


text:
Weather radios allow you to receive an up to date weather forecast at a moments notice. The press of a button allows you to tune into your local NOAA weather transmitter and hear a forecast specific to your general area. More advanced models have the ability to proactively alert you to dangerous our rapidly changing weather. The most advanced models support S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) technology. With SAME not only will you receive proactive alerts, you will also be able to limit the alerts that you receive to a very specific area. This helps ensure that you are only notified when an alert truly affects you.
Emergency radios are necessary during an emergency, such as a storm or an earthquake. They typically operate on battery and/or crank power and provide functions such as an AM/FM radio, flashlight, and weather radio. Advanced models are also equipped with a cell phone charger that can be powered using a crank. These radios are invaluable during an extended power outage or an emergency.


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Ham with Maple Gravy
Watch out when you make this dish, because the delicious aroma that comes from this ham gravy will be sure to create some big appetites. —Sue Ward, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Total TimePrep: 35 min. Bake: 1-1/2 hours
Makes14 servings
- 1 fully cooked boneless ham (6 pounds)
- 30 whole cloves
- 3/4 cup maple syrup, divided
- 4 teaspoons ground mustard
- 2 cups apple juice
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 6 medium tart apples, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- Place ham on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Score the surface of the ham, making diamond shapes 1/2 in. deep; insert a clove in each diamond. Combine 1/2 cup maple syrup and mustard; pour over ham. Pour apple juice into the roasting pan. Bake at 325° for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until a thermometer reads 140°, basting frequently.
- Remove ham and keep warm. Transfer the pan juices to a saucepan. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; add to saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add apples and remaining maple syrup. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Slice ham; serve with apples and gravy.
Nutrition Facts1 each: 328 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 2036mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 2g fiber), 36g protein.
Recommended Video
Apr 2, 2017
This is good, but I always make red eye gravy .
Dec 21, 2011
To Joy9585....you use ground mustard, not prepared mustard....there's a difference.
Dec 31, 2009
No comment left
Dec 26, 2009
I only made the ham, not the gravy, but the ham was excellent!
Nov 7, 2009
I really like this recipe. I was looking for something to go with squash and came upon this. It's actually really simple. I really hate mustard, so I just left it out of the recipe and it still turning out great!


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Excelando - Digital Marketing Analysis
Digital Marketing demo using Power BI: Analyzes a digital marketing campaign from various media sources. The demo insights to campaign efficiency. This deeper understanding helps increase advertising revenue potential and optimizes marketing budgets.联系合作伙伴 观看视频
- Silver Data Analytics
Digital Marketing Analysis
Digital Marketing demo using Power BI: Analyzes digital marketing campaigns from diverse media sources. The demo provides insights into campaign efficiency, as well as a deeper understanding that helps increase advertising revenue potential and optimizes marketing budgets.
Digital Marketing - Media Channel Efficiency
Excelando Digital Marketing demo solution has the ability to analyze data from multiple media sources, covering program ratings, audience demographics, market details and more. Decision makers can view online which media source, ad-type, device, customer type or TV show provides the best results, best supervises the campaign, concentrates on sources with better ROI and fulfills the campaign's full potential. This understanding helps increase advertising revenue potential and optimizes channel marketing budgets.
This natural and affordable environment is accessible from both office and mobile, and most importantly: all the information is in one place, clear and up to date, without the need for servers, software or experts.This Power BI demo solution can have a profound and positive impact on marketing. The solution is updated in real-time, eliminating the need to compile and reproduce reports. Executives use their mobile devices to quickly comment and share information with other employees or managers, resulting in heightened performance and a reduction in operational costs.
Excelando provides insightful, real-world guidance that helps its clients elevate organizational performance. Excelando's team works closely with clients to deliver exceptional value and the best possible total cost of ownership solution.


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Altria-owned US Smokeless Tobacco to build new facility and expand its current plant in Hopkinsville, Kentucky; US$118M investment will focus on tobacco processing and fermentation, create 42 new jobs
FRANKFORT, Kentucky
February 28, 2014
(press release)
– $118 million investment will focus on tobacco processing and fermentation
Governor Steve Beshear today announced U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC plans to build a new facility and expand its current plant in Hopkinsville. The company will invest approximately $118 million and create 42 new jobs.
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco and its predecessors have had a presence in Kentucky for more than 70 years. The company currently employs 90 full-time workers in the Commonwealth.
"U.S. Smokeless Tobacco's investment will make a significant economic impact on the state and bring more jobs to the region," said Gov. Beshear. "The company has found great success in the Commonwealth for decades, and this expansion is further proof that Kentucky is a great place to grow a business."
The new 230,000-square-foot facility will be used to process aged tobacco, including shredding, drying and flavoring. U.S. Smokeless also plans to add approximately 80,000 square feet to its existing tobacco fermentation plant in Hopkinsville. Both facilities in Christian County will be operational in 2016.
"As our smokeless tobacco business continues to grow, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company is looking toward our future," said Brian W. Quigley, USSTC President and CEO. "We are pleased to continue investing in Kentucky and to partner with the state for this project. This new facility will complement existing production, provide jobs and investment in the local economy, and will offer additional expansion opportunities as business grows in the future."
U.S. Smokeless is the leading producer and marketer of moist smokeless tobacco, one of the fastest growing tobacco segments in the United States. U.S. Smokeless is owned by Altria Group.
To encourage the investment and job growth in Christian County, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $4.5 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets. The City of Hopkinsville and Christian County also contributed an incentive package of $1.4 million to secure this project.
"U.S. Smokeless Tobacco has long since had an active presence in Hopkinsville, and it serves one of most important agricultural industries in the region," said Sen. Whitney Westerfield, of Hopkinsville. "I am delighted to see an expansion of their services to the tobacco farmers across western Kentucky but also the opportunity for new jobs for Hopkinsville – from the kind of corporate citizen any Kentucky community would love to have."
"This announcement speaks volumes about all of the great things our community and workforce have to offer, and I'm certainly pleased to see U.S. Smokeless Tobacco put deeper roots in Christian County," said Rep. John Tilley, of Hopkinsville. "I want to thank its leaders as well as our local and state economic development officials for working together to help make this possible. This investment and the new jobs it brings will give our economy a welcome boost."
"U.S. Smokeless Tobacco is a valued partner in our community, and we are thrilled they have chosen to locate their new manufacturing and distribution facility in Hopkinsville," said Hopkinsville Mayor Dan Kemp. "The new facility will be a significant investment and create quality jobs, providing a tremendous economic impact for the city and the region."
"U.S. Smokeless Tobacco has been an important part of our community for more than 35 years," said Christian County Judge-Executive Steve Tribble. "We couldn't be happier for the growth of a tremendous agriculture partner. We congratulate U.S. Smokeless on their successes and look forward to continuing that partnership."
For more information on U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, visit www.ussmokeless.com
* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.


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Keep things Basic! "Silent Pro" : A simple and efficient exhaust system. A right choice for those looking for durability. Optimized chamber system gets you better traction and more torque. Either TECHNIGAS or BIGONE are delivered according to the system you have. See index.
Material: Steel / Muffler / usually with E-Pass
Runs quiet, especially suitable for original cylinders, brings more power in the middle and upper rpm's. Motor periphery can remain the same.
SIP-TIP! New lighter vario rolls, new spark plugs.
Rpm's: -8.500


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|We Are Hairy
Click here to visit site
|Short review: Shaving it all seems to be the way to go for many women, but fortuitously, they have a ecdysiast crop of pubic groomed pre-women here that prefer the natural look. They are satisfying themselves through stroking with diverse items that will be a sight for your starving eyes. Not only are their vaginal areas left untouched, but youll find axillary cavities, legs, bums, bunnies and more that carry the hair!


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How can virtual worlds contribute to innovation, to transformation of business, government and public services and to increasing transparency, improving innovative services delivery, and creating employment?
Should public policy frameworks be adapted to support governments, citizens, and businesses using virtual worlds to improve their performance? If so how?
Meeting Chair:
Opening and introduction to virtual worlds
Speaker: Mr. Tom Watson, MP (UK Minister for Digital Engagement)
Speaker: Mr. Ren Reynolds (Virtual Policy Network, UK)
Purpose: This session briefly introduced why virtual worlds are important, and what can they add to society, business, government and consumers, their applications and development trends.
Panel 1: Innovation in private and public sector application of virtual worlds
Purpose: How can virtual worlds add value? What do virtual worlds mean in terms of practical applications, how can they contribute to policy making, help businesses to improve performance, and how can they enhance the delivery of, e.g. medical services? This session will explore innovative applications of virtual worlds in both public and private sectors to develop and deliver new services to citizens, the public sector and businesses. Panel contributions will highlight the impacts that virtual worlds can have on: international research, collaboration and policy-making e.g. modelling, simulation, virtualisation, scenario-building and evaluation; improving risk-evaluation; and applications in areas such as health, education, the environment and government services, and in general look at the broader social goods and innovation from wider use of virtual worlds. Also examined will be the benefits virtual worlds may have for business e.g. productivity and employment; reducing costs; addressing environmental concerns; and impacts on networking and engaging consumers and users. Practical challenges raised by the application of virtual worlds will also be discussed.
Moderator: Bill Graham, Internet Society
Speakers and issues:
Panel 2: Policy and virtual worlds
Purpose: This second panel highlighted policies and governance practices that can affect the development and use of applications of virtual world for consumers, businesses and governments. Governance of virtual worlds raises many national and international issues, e.g. jurisdictional liability across national borders. However, the size of virtual world communities and value of virtual assets has continued to grow. In a global economic downturn, what are the economic benefits which virtual worlds could usefully provide? What challenges do their governance models have for consumers, business and governments in areas such as: the development of virtual worlds; intellectual property; privacy; taxation and transactions. What can be done to maximise the economic and social benefits of virtual worlds while addressing such challenges? The panel will seek to identify key public policy issues and challenges which could be further studied by OECD/ICCP and by governments.
Moderator: Kristiina Pietikainen, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Finland
Speakers and issues:
Concluding remarks and possible next steps
OECD: Mr. Richard Simpson
ICCP Delegates, stakeholder representatives.
For further information, please contact Graham Vickery (graham.vickery @ oecd.org) or Sacha Wunsch-Vincent (sacha.wunsch-vincent @ oecd.org)
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Last August, when Petaluma's Robert Coleman was diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer, he knew it was the beginning of a long battle. What he and his wife, Deborah Price, could not have guessed was that the struggles ahead would become the background to a love story so moving it would end up catching the attention of a national cancer organization and a Hollywood superstar.
Coleman's cancer was just the beginning, it turns out.
The doctors later discovered a tumor on Coleman's spine. Months of painful treatment and therapy followed. Looking back, Coleman says he'd never have made it through without his wife, holding him, studying everything she could about cancer, arguing with doctors, challenging him to keep up his spirits, even throwing a party where friends could tell him how much he'd brought to their lives.
Earlier this year, the Prostate Cancer Foundation announced its second annual True Love contest, seeking true stories of cancer survivors describing those who cared for them during their illness and recovery. From hundreds of submitted stories, Coleman's was selected by Kristen Bell, star of the TV show The Good Place and a board member of the foundation. As a way of honoring Price for her selfless commitment and lifesaving work on her husband's behalf, Bell sent Price a "caregiver's package" with items the actress selected personally.
In Coleman's story, titled "Love Without Compromise" (which can be found at pcf.org/bio/robert-c), he writes, "I had never experienced such unyielding unconditional love. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving her and our daughter behind. I resolved to get much tougher and stronger myself, to take complete responsibility for my experiences, to give it everything I had. I realized that love in a relationship isn't a given in this world. You have to make it real every single day. While both of you are responsible for the relationship, it's up to you to step it up on your own side. Even when your body is failing you. Even when you have cancer."
Coleman's story, full of praise and love for his wife, concludes with this final, lump-in-the-throat realization: "Many years ago when I asked Deborah to marry me, if I knew then what I was going to eventually put her through, I might have thought twice about my proposal. Somehow, though, I suspect if Deborah had known about my future circumstances so many years ago, her answer still would have been 'Yes!'"—D.T.
Sunsets. Beaches. Canoodling in convertibles atop soaring cliffs above the crashing surf. Yeah, this romantic vignette is as typical to the Sonoma Coast as it is statewide, yet there is nothing inevitable about California State Route 1. In the beginning, before any Eve or even Steve glimpsed the evening sunlight glinting off lapping waves (this is prehistory we're talking about), there was no two-lane ledge etched into the bluffs above Bodega Bay and points north. Highway 1 was patched together partly from a discontinuous jumble of roads and given a public boost by Depression-era funding and public works projects, which also improved and made accessible Sonoma Coast State Park beaches. It's a passion project, a work in progress, like any relationship in the long haul. Beaten by salty winds, hounded by the leading edge of atmospheric rivers, and bedeviled by landslides, Highway 1 is an ongoing indiscretion that's patched up, made sound and ready for new recruits who drive, park and enjoy the fruits of the nexus of climate, time, labor and history, with nary a blip of a thought about all that. Maybe that's what love's all about.—J.K.
Once upon a time, nice ladies didn't go to bars. But sometime in the 1970s, the story goes, enterprising bar owners hit upon the idea of adding houseplants, cozy chairs and rays of light into former holes of watering to attract the other half of the population. And thus the fern bar—and lamentable drinks like the Harvey Wallbanger, the lemon drop and the mudslide—was born. The trend faded as the '70s turned into the '80s, but Sebastopol's Fern Bar has rediscovered the concept. The decor—beautiful and not at all kitschy—is replete with ferns, but there's much more to it. It takes the idea of a fern bar—homey, comfortable and plush—and gives it a modern update that isn't retro but evolutionary. Of course it wouldn't work if the drinks and the well-matched food menu weren't good (and on par with their prices). They are. It's all good. 6780 Depot St., Ste. 120, Sebastopol. 707.861.9603. fernbar.com.—S.H.
My boyfriend and I wanted something new to do a few Fridays ago, and since I am one of those hated yoga enthusiasts, I coerced him into trying out a couple's yoga class at Soul Yoga & Wellness. Neither of us put much thought into what the class would entail, but we did know it would probably be better high, which contributed to us being a little late. But we figured if any place would be forgiving of people showing up late and high, it would be a yoga studio. After hurriedly laying down our mats, the teachers, Mark and Dana Falls, a married couple who are also couples' therapists, told us this would be a very intimate class where we would also be encouraged to talk to each other. Our first move was leaning into each other back to back and standing up together. This sounded like a simple feat, one Mark and Dana executed easily. My boyfriend and I could barely lean into each other without one of us falling to the side. The couple next to us, in their late 50s, were also struggling: "Richard, you are leaning too much into me, you are crushing me Richard." Richard replied that he did not, in fact, think he was leaning into her at all. The rest of the class proceeded similarly, with a lot of fumbling and occasional exciting successes (few and far between for Richard and his wife). There is something really intimate about having your sweat drip onto your partner's face that forces you to reach a new level of closeness, and repeatedly failing at something together is also surprisingly bonding and honestly very funny (or perhaps that was just the weed). At the end of the class, after releasing endorphins and feeling very relaxed, Mark and Dana encouraged us to all kiss our partner. Shyly, I leaned in for a kiss (I am not huge on PDA), and heard Richard comment loudly on the sound of our kissing: "Sounds like someone sludging through mud." A perfect end to a fun Friday activity. 2700 Yulupa Ave. #15, Santa Rosa. 707.696.4382. soulyogasr.com.—A.M.
David Luning definitely has a way with a good, sad song lyric, as the world learned during his time on American Idol in 2014. Just give the Sonoma County singer-songwriter a tune about heartbreak and regret, and his soul-wrenching voice will wrap around each word like ivy on the tombstone of your long lost love. Take "Another Piano Song," in which he tries desperately to get through to a lover who's disappearing into depression and distance. The ache in Luning's voice, pitched high and fused with a palpable sense of love and devotion, is so deep it sinks into your subconscious and stays there.
Even on the relatively light-hearted "Whiskey Bottle," a list of failed relationships so hilariously bad you can't help but laugh, the underlying theme is heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak. "Women come, and then they go / Why they leave, I just don't know / Well, another one just walked out the door / I got no gosh-darn-luck, baby, that's for sure." And it doesn't even have to be a relationship for Luning to find a good grief-filled theme for a song. In "Northern California," it's his home town he's aching for, with lyrics like, "Oh please return me to my garden / Down on my knees, I'm beggin' / Please, take me home / Northern California, I miss you."
The point is, if you're feeling blue and want to hear some music that will remind you that, for all your pain, there are those who are feeling it even deeper (and in rhyme), David Luning's got a song (or three or six or ten) that will certainly be just your cup of whiskey. davidluning.com.—D.T.
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Every year, The A.V. Club receives veritable tons of ridiculous promotional items, all of them vying for notice like a pack of screaming children begging for the slightest scraps of attention. This year, we decided to make the competition a little more literal by running down our top 10 swag items of the year. Here, Nathan Rabin and Tasha Robinson present the first half of our Swagdown Countdown. Write-ups and pictures of these and many, many more swag items are available in our annual Year In Swag piece; these are just the cream of the crop, the ones unusually suitable for wearing, caressing, or smuggling home from the office when no one else is looking. Watch part two of the swagdown here.
More from The A.V. Club


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I was especially motivated to go this year, because Brad Radke was appearing for the first time since he retired. I don't normally like to spend my time in autograph lines, but this was for Brad Radke, so I had to.
He shared an autograph station with Jacque Jones and Shannon Stewart, so it was kind of like a 2004 reunion tour. The line was longer than I expected, but fortunately I made it in just in the nick of time (they closed the line 5 or so people behind me).
I didn't want Jacque and Shannon to feel bad, so I got theirs too.
For the record both Jacque Jones and Brad Radke are better looking in person than any picture I've ever seen; they both have fabulous smiles.
Brad has short hair now. But he's still good looking. But not so much in this picture.
After I finally got my autographs, I went inside. It's the first time I'd been in the Dome since they put on the new roof. It was a lot brighter in their than it used to be. I can't imagine trying to catch a fly ball with that sun-bright roof.
It was crowded, but not as much as it was a couple of years ago.
I sat at the ESPN1500 radio area, which is one of my favorite things to do -- you can relax, and listen to the radio guys interview the players. It's a great way to see the guys as they're being interviewed.
Justin Morneau also commented on the bright white roof.
When we started wondering around, we checked out Bert Blyleven's new Hall of Fame plaque, ...
Hmm. I don't think it really looks like him.
visited the Twins Pro Shop, ...
You can get your very own Mike Lamb banner.
and found TC Bear, among other things.
Best mascot in the Majors.
By the time I did all that, the Twins Grab bag booth was closed down because they had run out of grab bags for the day. I was really disappointed because for $15, you can get a treasure of stuff -- old stadium giveaways, media guides, and other prizes. Bummer. Next time, I'll get those first.
All in all, though, I had a great time. And now I'm really in the mood for baseball to start.


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All photos by Volvo
Cars Home / Stuff to Buy Channel / Bullz-Eye Home
The 2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD is one of the first releases from the revamped Volvo under Geely. If the S60 is a sign of what's to come, we're anxious to see what Volvo has in the pipeline.
The new 2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD sedan is one sharp vehicle. Our test model was wine red with sporty 18" alloy wheels and all season tires. The design of the 2011 Volvo S60 is very curvy but hardly edgy. Volvo apparently gave its engineers and designers the chance to explore and with that they developed a refined and confident S60 for the 21st century. The S60 is sharp, but it doesn't scream for attention with gimmicks. Rather, the car grows on you daily with understated aerodynamic muscular design and looks.
Volvo is known for safety innovation but over the past few years it seems like their interiors are receiving as much attention, if not more. The soft, black leather sport seats in the front and rear were some of the most comfortable seats I have experienced in any car I've driven as of late. The dashboard is crisp and precise without clutter and the center console is tilted slightly towards the driver for better views and execution. Our model had a 7-inch color LCD monitor, 8-way power driver seat, a thick and sturdy leather sport steering wheel, dual zone electronic climate control and Bluetooth hands free interface. The interior also has luxury details like its leather trimmed door panels and the high performance Volvo Premium Sound System with Dolby Pro. Going into spring in Ohio I was able to enjoy the power moon roof on some decent days.
The 3.0-liter turbo charged 6-cylinder alloy engine with DOHC, continuous variable valve timing, twin scroll turbocharger with 300 horsepower delivers a smooth and powerful drive. The Volvo S60 transmission made me appreciate the investment into 6-speed auto geartronic transmission tech with adaptive shift logic and AWD instant traction. The suspension was comfortable but sporty, a testament to the fully independent rear multi link suspension. The handling with the speed sensitive steering and selectable setting was another plus for those who prefer various driving experiences.The awesome headrests boast Volvo whiplash protection system (WHIPS) in driver and front passenger seats for a total of five padded head restraints. The premium package in our 2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD model included collision warning with full auto brake, pedestrian detection with full auto brake, distance alert with driver alert control (we like this system in both Volvo and Ford vehicles), lane departure warning and rear park assist camera.
The 2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD is a very stylish and comfortable luxury sedan that is a gem in a crowded field. Even though the styling is a bit more aggressive than past S60's, it's still understated and conservative. When you add in the premium package for our test model the pricing came in at $46,200. Fuel efficiency is comparable to others in this segment with 18mpg city driving and 26mpg on the highway. Volvo is still a leader in automotive safety and if the new owner Geely can steer them into building more stylish models like the 2011 S60, we might see a real upswing in future sales.
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Two Keys to Heaven's Gates
By John Van Auken
Create in me a pure heart and renew a righteous spirit within me, cleansing my life, my heart, my body, through the love in the Christ life. – Edgar Cayce reading 281-20
Create within me a perfect mind, O God! With the desire and the purpose to use my life, my talents, my gifts, in Thy Service! Let my going in, my coming out, be acceptable in Thy sight. And as I meditate, be thou nigh unto me. – Edgar Cayce reading 308-6
In Cayce's readings, one may find many keys to open the gates to heaven. But there are two that we may focus on here. The first is a pure heart; the second is a rejuvenated mind. Actually, he described this second key as experiencing a "regeneration in the mount," identifying the mount with the crown chakra and the higher mind.
A pure heart and a rejuvenated mind will open the way to ultimate happiness and enlightenment. These may seem like easy keys to find and possess, but in practice they are quite difficult. Fortunately, he also gives us two tips: (1) use your will to change feelings and thoughts, and (2) enjoy a magical transformation that occurs naturally when you abide in the heart and mind of the Creator.
A pure heart is developed by observing our motivations and desires. Step back from the automatic feelings and ask, "Why do I feel the way I do?" "What are my truest desires?" As Jesus said, "Where your heart is, there will your treasure be also." Your heart is the key to your treasure, and a pure heart opens the treasure chest of heaven. Changing our heart is done by adjusting our feelings, emotions, and desires. It requires that we engage our wills. The will reins in these automatic feelings and redirects them according to a new ideal. That new ideal is expressed in the spiritual emotions of love, forgiveness, patience, kindness, and understanding. It is expressed in "love one another," "forgive seventy times seven," and the like.
Cayce's readings are clear about purity. It is a selfless, others-oriented, and God-centered heart, a heart that is without egocentric motivations and desires, that considers God's will and others' needs. This heart is a home for the Creator. Cayce often recommended the prayer, "Not my will, O Lord, but Thy will be done in and through me this day." He often encouraged us not to simply BE good, but to be good FOR something. That something is the key to determining how pure our heart is. Are we good to be seen as such by others? Are we good because we are better than others? Are we good because we will be rewarded? Or are we good because the spirit of goodness is God in action, and, as such, makes the world a better place for us having been in it? This last reason is being good "for something," and fits the selfless ideal.
Consider Cayce's guidance not to meditate so that "you feel better" but that "the better you comes through." Do you see the subtle difference? One is self-focused and self-gratifying. The other seeks the better you, and that makes life better for all those around you.
Engaging our will is the way to find and maintain this key. But there is another way that imbues us with a power we could not otherwise receive. It is deep prayer and meditation, which lifts our heart into God's heart; and there abiding, allows our heart to adjust to God's. There is no other way to enjoy the benefit of this than to lift oneself into the heart of God.
Active outer change – by willfully controlling our heart, combined with receptive inner attunement to God's heart – makes for a pure heart and opens one of the gates to heaven.
Let's now consider the rejuvenated mind. Like the pure heart, the rejuvenated mind is also achieved in two ways.
The first way is by stepping back and observing our thoughts. If a negative thought arises, still it. Replace it with a positive one. If doubts arise, push them away while trusting in God. The only way to make such adjustments is by using our God-given will to take hold of our thoughts and change them, filling our minds with faith, hope, and trust in God. Using affirmations and little verses that keep the mind on the right track throughout the day is a helpful Cayce tip.
The second way to rejuvenate the mind is by lifting our mind up into the higher realms of God-consciousness, into God's Mind. Abiding in this Universal Consciousness revitalizes and illuminates our mind. Cayce's readings teach us to raise the life force of the body, the kundalini, up from the lower chakras to the higher chakras, while holding a God-centered ideal. An ideal can be compared to a pole star that guides your energies as you move them. It can be compared to having a pattern before you as you make a dress or a blueprint as you build a house. The kundalini can be raised for weal or woe, good or evil, clarity or confusion. Each chakra has its higher and its lower vibration as the life force passes through it. When the life force is moved by a higher ideal, one experiences the higher vibrations. When the life force reaches the higher chakras under the impetus of a higher ideal, it opens the gate to heaven. The body is purposefully wired this way. The ancient symbol of the winged serpent reflects the lifting of the life force (serpent) with the higher ideal and the higher mind (wings).
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year are good times for a fresh start at creating a pure heart and rejuvenated mind. And regular daily practice keeps these keys in your possession.
John Van Auken is an international speaker and author on a variety of topics from mystical spirituality and ancient civilizations to modern life. Popular with A.R.E. audiences throughout the country, he has written many books, including From Karma to Grace: The Power of the Fruits of the Spirit; Edgar Cayce's Tales of Ancient Egypt and Ancient Egyptian Mysticism. John's extensive knowledge of the Edgar Cayce readings, the Bible ancient Egypt, and other world religions is combined with years of practical application of these truths in his own life. His exciting presentations are packed with useful information combined with insightful and revealing stories. His clear step-by-step techniques give practical tools for ongoing development, self-training, and spiritual enlightenment. He travels extensively, conducting seminars and retreats throughout the U.S. and abroad including A.R.E.'s annual Tour of Egypt.


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I am building a multi language website in PHP and prepared all my strings in English by default using
My locale/it_IT/LC_MESSAGES/default.mo file is working correctly and now I need to sort out the language detection and switching.
I was thinking about using the approach with the GET parameter:
English | Italian
I also thought that writing the parameter in a cookie should be better than in PHP's
$locale = "it_IT"; // default in Italian
if (isset($_GET["locale"])) {
$locale = $_GET["locale"];
setcookie("locale", $locale, time()+60*60*24*365*10, "/"); // for 10 years
if (!$locale && isset($_COOKIE["locale"])) {
$locale = $_COOKIE["locale"];
// locales directory
$locales_root = $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] . "/locale";
$domain = "default";
// activate the locale setting
setlocale(LC_ALL, $locale);
// bind it, than activate
bindtextdomain($domain, $locales_root);
OK so far, so good.
Now my actual question……
How can a search engine index the English content? It follows the "?locale=en_US" link, than what?
Does the cookie get written? The first page is translated fine, but I am not adding the GET parameter to all my links. I saw this on some websites before; when you change the language the URL changes to somewebsite.com/it/ (mode_rewrite?) and the next click it's not added anymore.


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early mornings
I have to get up waay before Israel if I want to get anything done. This morning, I made this. New in the shop & I kind of want one of these for me!
Other Stories
5 comments:
I love the metallics!ReplyDelete
Sparkly! Nice :DReplyDelete
it would be go really well with some work outfits! good job!ReplyDelete
GREAT. great, great, great. like all the other stuff in your store, I just love it. Go On!!! :)ReplyDelete
gorgeous necklace! I just checked out your etsy and you sure are filling up with fabulous items! so sorry I didn't purchase those earrings. I went through a computer hiatus and just recently got back on. when life takes over its hard to say no.ReplyDelete
hope all is well with israel.
Thank you for your comments, I love hearing from you!
Questions, comments or sponsorship inquires, please contact me via the 'contact' link.


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Nadal versus Soderling
Could we have picked a better duo? I sure can't wait. Some of you may have wanted to see Federer in the final. Of course, he just wasn't the better player against Soderling, so Robin will make for a more interesting final.
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Thread: The Final Two *Spoiler*
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Sweet treats: Witty music weaves mystery
In 1939, Gian Carlo Menotti received a commission from the National Broadcasting Company to write the first opera specifically composed for a radio listening audience. The result was the one-act operatic comedy The Old Maid and the Thief.
"Today's younger audience has probably never attended a live radio broadcast and seen what may have been going on while the actors were weaving their spell," says Edmund Najera, artistic director of the Opera Society, who will stage the piece this weekend as one of two short operas in the organization's second annual "Opera and Dessert" production.
The plot centers on Miss Todd, the old maid, and her young housekeeper, Laetitia. One day a very young, very handsome beggar named Bob appears at their door. Because of the inclement weather, they invite him to spend the night and discover they both like the idea of having a man living in the house. Shenanigans abound as the two women contrive to maintain Bob's interest in prolonging his sojourn.
The plot thickens when Miss Pinkerton, the proverbially nosy neighbor, visits with news of an escaped convict who is a thief and a murderer. Everyone wants to discover if Bob is, in fact, the escapee.
"The comic situation of the plot gives Menotti an opportunity to compose some of his wittiest music. He masterfully balances sections of breathtaking speed with arias of beauty and poignancy," Najera says.
Christine Magne, who has sung with the Opera Society since its inception, tackles the role of Miss Todd; Kris Martin-Baker, whom audiences may remember from the New Lyric Theater's Pirates of Penzance, plays Laetitia. Charlottesville favorite Phyllis Koch-Sheras sings the role of Miss Pinkerton, and Edmund Najera makes a rare appearance as Bob.
Robert Miller takes on the announcing duties and covers the sound effects; Gal Pataky is accompanist for the production.
The evening's entertainment begins with "Mezzo Blues," performed by Valerie L'Herrou, Lisa Hilgartner, and Wendy Novicoff. In this piece by jazz pianist Dick Thompson, a trio of mezzo sopranos laments the fact that they rarely get to sing the high notes in opera.
During the intermission, a selection of desserts and coffee will be served. "Join us for this unique evening of entertainment," says Shelley Lee Cole, a member of the Society.
The Old Maid and the Thief plays Saturday, March 8, at 8pm, and Sunday, March 9, at 3pm. Municipal Arts Center, 1119 Fifth St. SW. $10-15. 296-2238.


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Five Things To Do on the First Day of School
A good first day can set the tone for the next 179 -- so get it right!
- Suit up. "I call it power dressing, and I do wear a sports jacket and nice shirt," says Jay Hoffman, an award-winning Vermont middle school teacher of 15 years. "The kids notice dress—at least they do in middle school—and it does give me an edge. I don't want to look like them. I don't want to look like one of their friends. Sometimes, new teachers make that mistake."
- Smile! "Forget that old saying, 'A teacher shouldn't smile for the first semester'—that's bunk!!" says Oscar Ortiz, a middle school band director in Iowa for 31 years. "Greet those kids at the door, shake their hands, and smile. Don't be afraid to show enthusiasm!"
- Set the rules. Your veteran colleagues agree that you don't need more than four or five basic rules, and it works best if the kids decide and "own" the rules themselves. One might be, "We respect each other," then talk about what that might look like: "It looks like raising your hand, listening to each other, and not putting each other down,"
Hoffman explains. It's okay to go slowly and take some time here. "If you take the time to build community, you'll be able to move faster during the semester, because you've set the stage.
Hoffman also asks them what they want to learn, and from their answers he makes a list to refer to later: "You asked me to teach you this…." Again, this puts the responsibility for learning on their shoulders. You might also try a seating plan—it'll help you remember names, Ortiz points out, and sometimes, avoid discipline issues.
- Make a friend. Remember what your mom said? To make a friend, be a friend. Stop by the other classrooms in your hall this morning and wish your colleagues a great start. No doubt you'll get good wishes in return, and the opportunity to swap stories and lesson plans down the road. And because you can never have too many pals, why not step into a few virtual staff lounges as well? Ning groups like California teacher Jim Burke's English Companion offer tried-and-tested advice, as can new networking sites such as Scitable. Of course, you'll always find a friend on NEA Today's Facebook page. We also encourage you to head over to a new discussion group at www.nea.org/help, where veteran NEA members like Kate Ortiz from Iowa are poised to answer anything about classroom management, from spitballs to bathroom breaks.
Just ask away!
- Write it all down. We're not suggesting you start drafting your best-selling memoirs à la Frank McCourt, although we loved Teacher Man! But a journal or blog that records and reflects on days gone right and wrong can be a very useful memento. Years from now, you'll pull it off the shelf (or log into the archives) and remember the lessons that really clicked. Other benefits of journaling are more immediate: "The writing process is reflective, but more importantly, it's also cathartic, and I find that to be its greatest benefit," says Sam McElroy, a fifth-year New York City high school teacher. "To any new teacher who likes to think things through by writing, I would recommend writing about what they find really difficult, rewarding, frustrating, or confusing." If you choose to blog publicly, you might also get the benefit of a more experienced audience. But be careful! Before you slam your principal for her unfeeling ways or unflattering waistline, keep in mind that the Web is rarely anonymous.
+And a bonus item! Start your feel-good file. Michelle Gambino Fleck, an elementary ESL teacher in Pennsylvania for the past six years, calls it her "Why I am a Teacher" folder, and stuffs it with commendations from colleagues and parents, sweet notes from students, positive evaluations from principals, and other required reading for tough days.
Illustrations: Joel Castillo


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Shop → Skin Care - Face → Mixed Gift Collections → Rejuvenate Pack Of 3
Rejuvenate Pack Of 3
Full set of 3 beautiful mild and primarily organic facial skin care products for dry or mature skin - Ubtan Vata Cleanser/Exfoliant, Toning & Treatment Serum and Moisturiser, with small sweet ceramic bowl and spoon, in a handy zip bag with full instructions and information. These are our finest safest and most "chemical free" facial products, and we are confident you will love them too.
We have remodelled the pack to include the Ubtan Vata - our very popular all natural finely ground cereal, herb and essential oil cleanser which works as both cleanser and mild scrub. This product is quite unique - it results from a kind of marriage of Arjuvedic skin care principles with our knowledge of Western herbs and essential oils - all to help dry or mature skin. There are NO synthetic chemicals - no emulsifiers or preservatives required. It may be sufficient to use this cleanser every few days if you are not wearing makeup. However, the Rejuvenate 1 Creamy Cleanser is also available for daily use if required or if you prefer this.
If you need to remove heavy eye makeup, we advise using a few drops of a fine oil such as jojoba, or even olive or grapeseed.
(Serum & Moisturiser also available individually, in white satin bags.)


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Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: West of the Missouri
Posts: 16
John Smith - With The Lord
I am not aware if anyone has shared this, if so my apologies. Brother John Smith, a beloved elder who once served the Lord in San Diego, CA, passed away recently in Colorado. He was 93 (or close to). His wife Sonya had passed away a year before. I for one appreciated his care for Christ and the saints back in the day.
Grateful Servant
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,126
Re: John Smith - With The Lord
While in Southern California back in the day I really appreciated John's unassuming, kind and gentile spirit. Of course those who were in San Diego can surely testify to much more regarding this man of God. I believe our sister Countmeworthy will have more than a few words for us regarding brother John Smith.
Many brothers and sisters appreciated John's calming spirit and rock solid faithfulness to the Lord and his Word during the tumultuous days of the late 80s in Southern California. John refused to "go with the flow" in unreservedly and mindlessly following Witness Lee and his most ardent minions, and of course he paid a big price for his faithfulness to the Lord and his Word. But later the Lord rewarded him and he went on to have a valuable ministry to the people of India. (maybe some other places as well).
Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:21)
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in Spirit & in Truth
Posts: 1,281
Re: John Smith - With The Lord
Hi all,
My earthly heart is heavy in learning that one of my beloved mentor's in Christ, John Smith went to be with the Lord.. Happy however, he is in the Glory Clouds for sure.
Not only do I have fond memories of John & Sonya but when I talk about my upbringing in the Lord in San Diego in the LC, to my non LC brethren I never think of WL's teaching, but of how John explained and taught the Word to us. John was a teacher. A very GOOD teacher. He studied the WORD.. not simply what Lee taught. He incorporated Lee's teachings of course (Christ and the church) but he and Sonya did their best to look after the flock. They were never prideful.
John had been a Baptist pastor before finding his way into the LC. So he truly had a vision of the pureness of the church as seen in the NT. He strived for us to be that kind of church...
I did not have as much of an appreciation for him back in the day as I have had in the last several years when I recall my upbringing in the Lord.
John was patient. He and Sonya had 6 kids I think..2 of them twins! And boy were they all rowdy! Nothing 'spiritual' about the kids! But they kept us silly 'spiritual' saints in balance. Of course, back then I probably had more of a judgmental spirit. What did I know??
A quick personal testimony of the first time I talked to John:
I was 20 when I got saved. Now I had been working in a place where there were several San Diego LCrs there. They would get together at lunch and have fellowship. They would bring their KJ bibles to work. (there were no RCV back in 1975). One of the guys (brother) began sharing the gospel with me AFTER I ASKED him about the bible during breaktime.
For about a week, he took me through Genesis to Revelation and I was mesmerized. At the end of the week he invited me to the 'love feast/gospel feast' we held on Saturday nights.
I agreed to go. But here's what happened.. I chickened out. On Saturday afternoon JOHN called to let me know some sisters were going to pick me up. I remember telling him I was not going to go after all. I remember his voice so clearly telling me not to worry. To this day, I still recall his voice on the phone so clearly!
Monday morning came and I had to face the brother and was embarrassed for backing out. Nonetheless, I prayed with Mark that morning AT WORK and got truly saved. That evening I had dinner with some sisters and one of the other elders home, Les and Carolyn Cites, my other spiritual 'parents'.
I went to a new believers bible study and met Willie Samoff. (I was flying in the spirit). The next night I met John and Sonya at a prayer meeting and I got baptized. It just so happened that week they had meetings every night and every night I attended, thus meeting John and Sonya who were genuinely down to earth and yet filled with the Spirit.
John was very discerning. Aside from being a loyal LCr under Lee's ministry, his goal was to make sure we truly got to know the Word, Jesus Himself and the Power of His Precious Shed Blood.
That was his goal for each of us. The 'church' and fellowship was important to him but if we did not have a true relationship with the LORD and experienced the Blood of Jesus in our lives how 'rich' could our fellowship be? We were about 75 LCrs under the age of 25. The 'old timers' were John and Sonya.. and a few married couples in their 40s.
I don't know how it was in the other localities but in his 'sermons', he always shared stories of his youth living in a farm milking cows. He would make us laugh. We had great meetings..at least they were for me.
I know this forum sometimes dogs the popcorn testimonies but ours were good and fun for the most part. We had a lot of laughs!
I have quite a few friends who no longer attend 'church'. When I share some of the stories and experiences I had back in the day, they love hearing them.
Back in the day, we did as best we could with what we had to get away from the Nicolaetan system ( clergy - laity ) But sadly it was short lived.
I loved John and Sonya Smith.. I loved/love Les and Carolyn Cites who are still there, Willie and Sandy Samoff who also left.. God used them greatly to mentor the saints in San Diego in the early to mid 70s. I still love all the saints in the LC even though I am no longer there. I am free at last.. FREE AT LAST.. THANK GOD ALMIGHTY I AM FREE AT LAST.. in Christ Jesus Amen.
God bless them.. God bless us all... For sure one day (soon I hope) we will meet each other on the other side.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
(Luke 21:36)
Grateful Servant
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,126
Re: John Smith - With The Lord
Copied from "Speaking the Truth in Love" - John Ingalls
April 18, 1989
Dear Brothers and Sisters in San Diego,
It is now more than 17 years since I came to San Diego for the church life. There have been days of happiness and days of sadness, days nearly free of problems and days of struggle. I remember with special joy 1971-1976. Literally hundreds (especially from the Navy) were saved. We had a marvelous family church life and spontaneous blessing. I could never forget those wonderful love feasts with many saved and baptized. The quality and the degree of the blessing of those years have never returned; except perhaps during the 18 months we spent on the offerings. No doubt those 18 months were so blessed because saints were developing an exciting personal relationship to the Lord with extra-local direction held to a minimum. Some extra-local people did criticize us for continuing 18 months along that line instead of jumping to do the latest thing that came from brother Witness Lee's ministry. I never told you, but much of what I shared in those days did not come from brother Witness Lee. And I only tell you now because there is a false belief that there are little riches elsewhere. I had enjoyed many writings before I met brother Witness Lee. I gave up these writings through the years more than I should have, but the profit and joy I them was so great that I never stayed exclusively with Living Stream publications.
I appreciate the love and care I received from you all during the 17 years. Some among the Chinese-speaking saints extended themselves to the uttermost to take care of me during my long illness. Others also helped much; the other leading ones did their best to keep me from stressful situations; and all of you prayed very much. For this I am grateful. I have written this letter out of love for you all and responsibility to you.
Up to this point I have fellowshipped my standing in the present situation mainly with those who have come to see me. Recently I have realized the need to make a statement to all of you. Some have been asking, "Why doesn't John tell us where he stands?" At the judgment seat of Christ I do not want to be responsible for not telling you the truth.
I wish to say that this letter is not subtle. I am stating my realization concerning the situation among those who follow Witness Lee. I am not suggesting that brothers who differ from me are violating their conscience. That is for them to settle with the Lord just as it is for all of us. This letter will not attempt an exhaustive treatment of the matters concerned. However, as my health is considerably improved I open the door for you to come and fellowship with me if you desire.
According to my spirit, my conscience, my understanding of the Word, and the present practices, I can no longer follow brother Witness Lee. If you choose to do so that is up to you. I will love you just the same. I have no personal problems with anyone. Everyone should know the facts and be "fully convinced in his own mind" (Rom. 14:5). It is a dangerous thing for one to play the conscience for another. We are not dealing with problems of a single locality, but with serious matters of truth and practice. I believe the deviation has brought the churches following brother Witness Lee into denominationalism and sectarianism.
The points I present will be very similar to what other brothers (such as Albert Zehr, John Ingalls, etc.) have said. I have a deep realization that our practices are not according to the truth and the vision that captured me years ago: a vision of dynamic, organic, living church life unhindered by the matters explained in the following points.
1. Deputy authority and the oracle of God
I would like to preface this point by saying that the teaching concerning deputy authority is based principally on example (as opposed to the direct command of God); much from the Old Testament. It is true that "these things happened as examples for us….upon whom the end of the age has come" (1 Cor. 10:6,11). However, in scriptural interpretation one can easily go off track if he makes biblical examples equal to the commands of God. It is obvious from brother Witness Lee's sharing that he feels that he is the primary deputy authority on the earth. In the recent Pasadena conference he said "who (meaning whoever) has the deputy authority has the oracle of God." We begin with this matter because it pervades the whole conduct and atmosphere in the churches that follow Witness Lee.
Spiritual authority is endowed upon a person by the Lord. It is perceived and realized in the saints and substantiated by the Lord. As stated by Watchman Nee "we should never say so much as one word on behalf of our own authority. Rather, let us give people the liberty. The more God entrusts to us the more liberty we grant people" (Spiritual Authority pg. 121). It seems in these days there is virtually a campaign by brother Witness Lee and some others to establish his deputy authority.
Our practice has been that in nearly every conference or training we observe a declaration of authority. Old Testament cases of disobedience are cited. Often the case of Miriam's leprosy has been mentioned. But why is it not mentioned that Uzziah, Eli, and others lost their deputy authority. Furthermore, David was rebuked and chastened for the misuse of his deputy authority. No doubt Aaron lost his entrance into Canaan by being one with the disobedience of Moses when Moses struck the rock. In much of the Old Testament deputy authority was divided between priests, kings, and prophets.
In the first place deputy authorities in the Old Testament are types of Christ. Now Christ has come and Christ is the head of every man (1 Cor. 11:3). Other than Christ Himself in the Gospels the New Testament does not indicate that there will always be one chief deputy authority on the earth. Peter, Paul, and John are very prominent in the New Testament record. But we must not forget that no one today is writing Scriptures as they did. It is also plain that Paul acknowledge other groups of apostles laboring where he did not and respected their spheres of labor, although the spheres were not fully exclusive (2 Cor. 10:15 and Rom. 15:20). To say that, because in the New Testament record Peter was prominent, then Paul, and finally John, means that at all times there will be one chief deputy authority on the earth is an excessive extrapolation of New Testament examples. If brother Witness Lee considers himself to be the successor to Watchman Nee, then there must be another successor and, in principle, you have an apostolic succession similar to Roman Catholicism.
Regarding the matter of the oracles of God, Watchman Nee states, (A Table in the Wilderness For February 15) "It is our privilege to preach the Word, but no single one of us is God's oracle. We cannot utter his words without bringing to them something personal of our own. Many of us can preach a good message, but one spontaneous sentence of our has the power to confirm or overthrow it all." I would call your attention especially to 1 Pet. 4:11 which says "If any man speaks let him speak as the oracles of God" (KJV). Whether you take this as Christian teachers or anyone in an assembly, it is a plurality of believers. I will not use the space to develop this matter further in this letter.
The manner in which deputy authority has been applied, including the external standards to which all are expected to conform, has brought legality and fear into the churches. The liberty of the Holy Spirit and the freedom of the human will have been undermined. Many saints have become afraid to follow their own conscience and spirit. Also many saints have become condemned, defeated, and depressed.
2. The teaching and attempted practice of "deputy authority" and "the oracle of God", have issued in a system of control and organization of the churches. Much of the control is indirect, but nonetheless very strong. Control and organization are publicly denied but constant pressure is applied through elders' trainings, videos, conferences, and publications to push churches and brothers and sisters to conform. Surely this is strong organization. Whatever the intention, the result of this surely hinders the organic relationship of the saint to his Lord. We have seen a great change of emphasis from "the ministry for the churches" to "the churches for the ministry." Thus the "work" or "ministry" is built up more than the local churches. Any church that would build up and exalt "the ministry" has been virtually incorporated into "the work."
Since control is denied, why is honest fellowship not received? I have personally had the experience of honest fellowship not being received.
3. In recent years efforts to unite saints and churches all over the earth around a physical leader and organization have become increasingly apparent. I believe this is not scriptural. Plurality of apostles and different companies of apostles working in various areas is no longer our concept or practice. The New Testament does not present one apostle governing all the rest. Here I wish to present some notes from the Taipei Elders Training June 1989:
a. p.2 "…Don't teach differently from the minister, from Paul." But the passage in 1 Timothy does not say do not teach differently from Paul but don't teach differently from God's dispensation (or stewardship or administration), which is in faith (1 Tim. 1:4).
b. p.4 "So our burden is to pick up Brother Lee's teaching and way to make us all Witness Lees, like a Witness Lee duplication center." This should be said of no one but Christ Himself.
c. p.6 "Without this fellowship no church can be produced, built, or completed." The context of the Taipei notes implies that today this is Witness Lee's fellowship. I fully disagree with this.
d. p.13 "It may be that the number one sin in the Lord's recovery today is the improper relationship with the ministry office. It is a sign of blindness. The practical carrying out of this ministry is practically with Philip Lee." "…We love brother Lee's ministry but he has a way to do things; he does things thru the ministry office; he doesn't trust anyone else on the whole earth, so brother Lee put him (Philip) there" (p.14). Such a thing has no valid precedent in the New Testament, either by example or teaching.
The above statements from the Taipei Elders' training and more that could be presented are shocking and not according to the New Testament. The exaltation of man and chin-of-command stand out. Since authority is ascribed and practiced in a very inorganic, organized manner, it becomes no longer spiritual authority.
4. In centralizing the work and having training centers we are going the way denominations have historically gone.
5. There has been much pressure that all the saints in the churches would conform to the burden of brother Witness Lee's ministry and carry it out in full uniformity of practice. Actually the local administration together with all the saints should go directly to the Lord for His leading in the church where they are. A proper fellowship with other saints, churches and servants of the Lord should be maintained without infringing on the proper independence of the local church. The following quotes from pages 16 to 19 of The Beliefs and Practices of the Local Churches, published in 1978 by the Living Stream ministry, are surely little practiced by the churches following brother Witness Lee. Page 16 states, "Our unique leader is Christ. We have no official, permanent, organized human leadership. Furthermore, there is no hierarchy of any kind and no world-wide leader. We regard no person as infallible, and we do not follow anyone blindly." (But blind following has been promoted among us.) "Each local church is autonomous in its administration." Page 19 states, "...in all administrative affairs the local churches are autonomous and locally governed."
6. One church one city implies that we are open to receive and accept all genuine believers. We should not demand certain practices of those with different feelings. Our attitude has been that those who have reservations concerning our practice are "unclear" and basically remain "outsiders." Those with different views are regarded as "pouring cold water", "blowing cold winds", "negative", "old", etc. These labels have characteristically been given no mater how honest a person was in the feeling he expressed. I am sorry to say that in the past I have used some of these terms regarding dear brothers and I am well aware that some of them are being used of me now.
7. The biblical truth is that the saints meet in the name of the Lord with all having freedom to share as the Spirit gives them utterance. But our practice has been to measure everyone by whether they speak "the ministry." Truth lessons, life studies, and footnotes are promoted as the most proper ways to express anything. In some instances reading with little or no comment has been promoted. Surely this is control and must offend the Headship of the One in Whose name we meet.
8. Ministry is to dispense Christ into people for the building up of the church. All who do so have a part in God's New Testament ministry. According to our practice and our vocabulary "the ministry" is Witness Lee, and not only what he says or write but the way he says it. Anything else has "another flavor." Surely this attitude and practice is exclusive and unscriptural.
9. On what is our oneness based? Our oneness is uniquely Christ. Ephesians admonishes us to keep the oneness of the Spirit. Romans 14 admonishes us to receive one another solely on the basis of Christ, not according to any uniformity of practice. However, if one does not conform in practice, it would be a rare person who could remain comfortable among us. Furthermore, to a great extent our oneness has become based on a spiritual leader and his teaching. Brother Witness Lee and his ministry have been made a great issue and factor of division among us. At this moment some brothers and sisters might be uncomfortable in fellowship with me; because my relationship with them, to a great extent, depends upon their estimate of my relationship with Witness Lee. In Chapter 4 of The Normal Christian Church Life, Watchman Nee states that this is a failure to realize the local character of the church. The genuine ground of oneness has been replaced with other things, such as a spiritual leader, teachings, uniformity of practice, etc. In The Normal Christian Church Life (pages 92-93) Watchman Nee says, "Whenever a special leader, or a specific doctrine, or some experience or creed or organization, becomes a center for drawing together the believers of different places, then its center is other than Christ and its sphere is other than local; and whenever the divinely-appointed sphere of locality is displaced by a sphere of human invention there the divine approval cannot rest. The believers within such a sphere may truly love the Lord, but they have another center apart from Him, and it is only natural that the second center becomes the controlling one. Christ is the common center of all the churches, but any company of believers that have a leader, an experience, a creed, or an organization as their center of fellowship, will find that that center becomes the center, and it is the center by which they determine who belongs to them and who does not." Surely this has become our case.
10. There has been too much emphasizing of "methods" more than the inner anointing, and external "big success" more than the experience of the inner life. This deviates from the central lane of God's New Testament plan. I cannot imagine that young people taking numbers in high pressure meetings to be "full time" is the real organic production of Christian workers according to the normal life of local churches as seen in the Scriptures. I have been deeply impressed with a paragraph in chapter 2 of The Normal Christian Church Life by Watchman Nee, "How grand it would be if there were no representatives of different earthly bodies, but only representatives of the Body, the Body of Christ. If thousands of local churches, with thousands of prophets and teachers, each sent out thousands of different workers, there would be a vast outward diversity, but there could still be perfect inward unity if all were sent out under the direction of one Head and on the ground of the one Body."
11. Because it has become such an issue among us, I must briefly address the matter of Philip Lee. Due to the position of influence he together with Living Stream exercised among, and to some extent, over the churches for many years, the problem of his behavior cannot be isolated to Anaheim. Neither can the problem be diminished by saying that Living Stream is merely Witness Lee's private publishing business. Through the years Living Stream has received much money in donations and multiplied thousands of dollars of free labor. Living Stream activities and influences became an integral part of the working of all the churches. Therefore, Philip's conduct and the years of failure to deal with it are matters which concern all the churches.
At the moment I have no intention of engaging in a running controversy. However, I am not afraid of argument. I believe I know already how the points given in this letter would be answered. No doubt I the past I have used most of those arguments myself. For years many things both in our teaching and practice have troubled me. I used to defend and teach such tings even when my conscience and my sprit testified to the contrary. Eventually I was forced to admit that I could no longer defend some crucial matters of the teaching and practice among us with a good conscience and a perfect spirit. There is ample substantiation for all of the above points. I do not feel it is practical to make this letter long enough to include all references. In fact, this letter is only a small part of what could be said. Rather than write pages and pages, I have opened the door for fellowship.
I write this letter to you to be faithful to the Lord. It would have been much easier to say nothing and just disappear. This the Lord would not allow me to do. This letter cannot by any means convey the clarity and fullness of thought which I have concerning these matter in these days. It may be said tht to speak the things I this letter is "negative", not building up, etc. I do not accept this kind of argument. In the present situation, as I stated in the beginning of the letter, there is need to know the truth and realize the facts concerning our present teaching and practice. To use verses such as 1 Cor. 2:2, 1 Tim. 1:4, and 2 Tim. 2:23, to condemn and inhibit fellowship concerning serious deviations in truth and practice, is misapplication of the Scriptures. Everyone needs to exercise his own conscience and his own spirit. I certainly do not want to be your conscience. This is a dangerous thing to do. If I am accused of being unethical, I would remind you that the church does not belong to John Smith, Witness Lee, or any person or group of persons. It is the church of God, Christ and the saints.
I fully realize all kinds of derogatory judgments may be applied to me as a result of this letter. I am familiar with the manner in which this has been done and the terms used through the years. But as far as I know my heart is pure in these matters. I am not seeking a following or a kingdom. I am standing for what I believe to be the truth in doctrine and practice. Many of you may feel strongly to go in a certain direction with brother Witness Lee. I can neither go that way nor lead others that way. However, all of you still remain my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. My spirit is not contentious as I write; I hope yours will not be as you receive and read this letter.
Although I am saddened by the present situation, personally I am very happy in the Lord. I rejoice in renewed experience of the Headship of Christ, of reading a variety of rich material, and in thankfulness to the Lord for His great mercy upon me. My heart exults in Him. Truly His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I thank the Lord that doors of ministry are open to me here and elsewhere which, the Lord granting me more mercy, I will enter. In whatever service the Lord guides me I desire to give Him His organic way. And for myself, I like to say as Whitfield said, "Let the name of Whitfield (John Smith) perish. Let Christ be exalted."
In Christian love and concern,
John Smith
Note: This letter is not restricted to San Diego. I hope you will all read John Ingalls' and Al Knoch's statement withdrawing as elders in Anaheim.
Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:21)
Posts: n/a
Re: John Smith - With The Lord
In the years of my church life from Nov. 1973 to now I do not recall meeting Brother John Smith. When he and others left the LR movement we mere told that many of them left because of ambition and we were strongly encouraged not to investigate. Now in reading John's testimony and myself having a strong concern about many of the things he mentioned I am challenged to exercise before the Lord as to how He will lead me in the future.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Greater Ohio
Posts: 12,621
Re: John Smith - With The Lord
I specifically remember him sharing from Romans 8.13.
He definitely was not a Lee-Repeater as many others were.
Ohio's motto is: With God all things are possible!.
Keeping all my posts short, quick, living, and to the point!
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in Spirit & in Truth
Posts: 1,281
Re: John Smith - With The Lord
I am forever thankful to the LORD for putting me under his care.
Blessings be upon you.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
(Luke 21:36)
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 31
Re: John Smith - With The Lord
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,763
Re: John Smith - With The Lord
John was known here in Scottsdale as well. John had gone to a particular place in India to minister, on their east coast, several times over the past couple decades I believe. Eventually a few hundred Indian brothers who were pastors would come to hear John speak over the course of several days to a week. Many of them came from as far as several hundred miles or more. I'm not sure how many trips there John made, but the frequency of his trips were perhaps every 2-3 years. It was quite the undertaking and afterwards all the Indian pastors would return to their areas to minister the truth in Christ to their respective gatherings.
During his last few trips, he took a brother from Scottsdale with him, Dan Elkins. Eventually, when it got so that John was not able to make the trip, Dan began going on his own (with a few others usually from here and/or the Moses Lake OR gathering.
I think Dan has now made at least three of these journeys apart from John now, and is doing another one in about a month. These Indian brothrs are so hungery for Christ alone! It's no picnic, but the Spirit has been very strong with these brothers, and the need is huge. (the upcoming trip was actually delayed for almost a year as there was severe persecution by the Hindus. One of the leading organizers was thrown in jail for a few months and they tried to close down the Christian orphanage he runs. Dan was told, for his safety, to not come. But now this organizing brother has been released, and so the whole thing is on again.)
I'm not sure of all the details and origins of John's ministry to this part of India, but the impact is certainly substantial! May the Lord continue to have a way in the hearts and minds of many in this dark sub-continent!
LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in Spirit & in Truth
Posts: 1,281
Re: John Smith - With The Lord
Do you know if Dan Elkins was ever in the church in San Diego?
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
(Luke 21:36)
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,763
Re: John Smith - With The Lord
LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now
Posts: n/a
Re: John Smith - With The Lord
I was involved in the San Diego LC for about a year and a half during 1974-75. I just recently came across the news of John Smith's moving from this life to a life of glory and reading his open letter about his renewed enlightenment. I was a young Christian from North Dakota with a seeking heart. I didn't understand all the divisions and strife among Christians. The LC seemed to take down the walls of division and promote a "unity". After a number of months there seemed to a pressure put upon attendees. There was even fear that if one ever left the LC their "life would be ruined". I never got this from John Smith but there were other leaders, both local and Anaheim. With John one generally felt you could share without retribution. I'm one example of one whole left the LC and is doing fine, enjoying the assurance of the Lord Jesus and fellowshipping with other believers.
Willy Samoff was in San Diego while John was their. Does anyone know what has come about him
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in Spirit & in Truth
Posts: 1,281
Re: John Smith - With The Lord
Hi there!
We may have crossed paths as I was in the San Diego LC from 1975-1978/79.
I always speak highly of my time there and hold John Smith in high esteem for his faithfulness to the Word. He was loyal to W Lee but much more faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ. He really taught me to hold firm to God's Word. To be loyal to Jesus, to the Father..to trust the Holy Spirit. He was a good shepherd to the saints in San Diego.
Willy Samoff moved to Denver around 1978. Around that time frame Max Rappaport was under fire by Lee and his loyalists. Willy and Max were close. But I don't know if they remained friends after the rift in the LC. Several years ago, Willy's sons posted here very briefly. They mentioned their dad having been in the LC but that's pretty much it. I think they came across very cynical towards the LC but did not mention how Willy and Sandy his wife were doing.
If you remember Bob Bird, I stay in touch with him. He is living in Milwaukee Wisconsin. He left the LC too and is doing ok. Aging sucks though
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
(Luke 21:36)
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 645
Re: John Smith - With The Lord
I don't think I'd ever seen this thread before, but going back and reading John Smith's letter was eye opening. I don't see how anyone in their right mind could read his letter and come away with "negative" or "poisonous", but rather "humble" and "totally reasonable".
All the issues that are so concerning today have literally been the same ol' issues for THREE DECADES! What a tragedy.
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